The UK eating out market continues to grow – with the regions showing recovery for the first time – but discount driven consumers remain a challenge for the sector.
Soaring costs, changing consumer demands and the rise of the big brands mean independent eateries can’t afford to rest on their laurels. BigHospitality looks at some innovative ways that restaurants are extending their offer to maximise returns and keep...
Sales of beer in supermarkets and off-licences overtook pub sales for the first time on record last year, according to the latest data from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
Restaurant staff are being urged to make solo diners feel more comfortable after a survey found that a quarter of British diners feel they receive worse service when dining alone.
Local sourcing and provenance are more important to Londoners than the reputation of a restaurant’s head chef, according to new research from Camden eatery Gilgamesh.
Restaurants should offer freebies when they first open to increase footfall and build customer loyalty through reward schemes, according this new infographic from marketing and loyalty platform provider Coniq.
The UK hotel industry had a ‘great year’ in 2014, with strong December performance helping push profits up across London and the provinces, according to the latest UK Chain Hotels Market Review from Hotstats.
People 1st has called for higher education to play a greater role in addressing the future management needs of the hospitality sector, after it claimed the industry will need 66,000 more managers by 2020.
UK regions saw faster growth in overseas visits than London last year, although the capital enjoyed the biggest uplift in tourism spend, according to new analysis from VisitBritain.
Two thirds of hospitality workers believe it is important to feel passionate about a job while a third think feeling valued is a top priority, a survey looking into employee motivation has found.
The Hotel Collection’s Imperial Hotel in Blackpool has launched a ‘midnight marriage’ package to its guests after gaining a 24-hour wedding licence from the council.
Diners in the North and South East are most likely to splash out on meals spending an average of £113 per month, a new survey looking into differing diner mindsets has revealed.
Interest from US investors and a return of confidence in the market helped drive up the average property price in the hotel sector by 17 per cent last year, according to a report by Christie & Co.
VisitEngland has added further weight to the view that UK tourism will continue to boom by claiming that more than half a million new tourism jobs will be created over the next decade.
London-based restaurant and pub operators, including D&D London and Capital Pub Company have reported record trading figures over the Christmas period.
The Restaurant Group has forecast continued growth in 2015 following a successful Christmas trading period and a profitable 12 months which has reversed five years of decline.
Two new luxury hostels are to open their doors for business in Cardiff in March as so-called ‘poshtels’ become widely tipped to be one of the most dynamic sectors of the hotel market in 2015.
Demand for both permanent and temporary staff within the hospitality sector rose at the end of last year according to a survey of 400 recruitment consultants.
Restaurants and bars performed well over Christmas and New Year, according to analysts, with some of the country’s major groups reporting bumper sales.
Lobster will become much more commonplace, and be available at a lower price in 2015 as the premium seafood becomes increasingly popular across London and the UK.
Reports of the death of the burger trend have been greatly exaggerated it would appear, with the market set to boom in the coming years as its main protagonists continue to expand.
Two key members of the serviced apartment sector outline their views on what travellers will be demanding of the serviced accommodation market over the next 12 months and why it may be a good year for London-based expansion and global brands.
The forthcoming year is expected to be a record one for the UK’s tourism and hospitality industries with spend from overseas visitors forecast to reach £22 billion for the first time.
Are you seeking out a new look for the New Year? Or opening a new venue? BigHospitality spoke to some of the UK’s hottest interior designers to get their top tips on the big trends set to hit hospitality in 2015.
The UK has seen an unprecedented cocktail boom over recent years, and the category is set to outpace the drinks market in 2015. With this in mind, BigHospitality has compiled a list of the hottest cocktail trends for the year ahead.
After a year of rising foreign investment, increased hotel transactions and continued threat from OTAs and the sharing economy, what lies ahead for the hotel industry in 2015? We asked some industry experts for their predictions.
As the year pulls to a close, BigHospitality looks back at some of the biggest stories of the year – from Noma stealing back the title of World’s Best Restaurant to floods, beer duty and Tom Kerridge's long-awaited second pub.
The number of diners reporting lactose or gluten intolerance has risen in 2014, while the number of diners ordering vegetarian or nut-free dishes has fallen, according to data collected by food pre-ordering service TellTheChef.
Quick service is very important for men when dining out during the Christmas period, while women focus more on the whole experience, according to research by CGA Peach and hospitality technology provider Zonal Retail Data Solutions.
Pubs and restaurants have been hit by falling alcohol sales over the past twelve weeks, but could receive a boost as people gear up for the festive period.
People 1st has called for a ‘hard hitting’ cross-industry campaign to promote the breadth of career opportunities the hospitality and tourism industry can offer.
A 2 per cent alcohol duty cut could boost public finances by £1.5bn in 2015, according to an Ernst & Young report launched alongside the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) ‘Drop the Duty’ campaign.
Over-attentive waiting staff has been named as the most irritating practice in British restaurants in a survey commissioned by restaurant critic Barry Verber.
The much-anticipated EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation came into force on 13 December. BigHospitality looks at what is changing, and the impact of the new law on the industry.
Pub and restaurant groups enjoyed a 3.4 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in November compared to the same month last year, according to the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.
Hotel performance both in London and in the regions is expected to remain strong until the end of the year, according to HotStats’ first Hotel Market Profitability Forecast.
